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When they reached the dyke where the men were standing delving out the peat, it was to find a group of three fresh arrivals in the persons of Hickathrift the wheelwright, Dave, and John Warren, and all in earnest converse upon some subject. "Yow may say what yow like," cried Dave, "but fen-land's fen-land, and meant for the wild birds." "And rabbuds," put in John Warren.
From time to time they glanced back to see the glare of the fire dying out to such an extent that when they were well in sight of the light at the landing-place which they felt convinced Hickathrift was showing, the last sign had died out, and just then a loud crack made them forget it. "Don't seem to be freezing so hard, does it?" said Tom.
There was no need to ask questions. Every man, while the women began to wail and cry, started for the Tallingtons' farm; but they were brought up by a shout from the squire. "What are you going to do, men?" he cried. "The fire!" "help!" "water!" rose in a confused babble. "Back, every one of you, and get a bucket!" cried the squire. "You, Hickathrift, run into the wood-house and bring an axe."
Nay, nay. Yow can hev the boat, bud don't come to me for a gun." Hickathrift was inexorable, and what was more, he watched his applicant narrowly, to make sure that Dick did not corrupt Jacob. His visitor noticed it, and charged him with the fact. "Ay," he said, laughing, "that's a true word. I know what Jacob is. He'd do anything for sixpence."
"I could not but observe the satisfaction the father took in the forwardness of his son, and that these diversions might turn to some profit, I found the boy had made remarks which might be of service to him during the course of his whole life. He would tell you the mismanagements of John Hickathrift, find fault with the passionate temper of Bevis of Southampton, and loved St.
"Don't stop me, Hicky. I was running because that stupid constable fellow is after me." "Hey, and what should make you run away from constable, lad?" said Hickathrift severely. "You've done nowt to be 'shamed on?" "No, of course not!" cried Dick, shaking himself free. "Did you meet Tom Tallington?" "Ay, iver so far-off, trying to stop old Solomon, and he wouldn't stay."
Tom uttered a low growl which was more like that of a dog than a human being; and after an ineffectual attempt to get at Dick, he dragged himself away to kneel down at the first clear pool to bathe his bleeding nose. "Theer, now, I'll let you go," said Hickathrift, "and I'm straange and glad I was i' time to stop you. Think o' you two mates falling out and fighting like a couple o' dogs!
"Why shouldn't a will hev a goon as well as a lanthorn?" said Hickathrift, stolidly. "Why, where would he get his powder and shot?" said Dick. "Same place as he gets his candle for his lanthorn." "Oh, but what nonsense! The will-o'-the-wisp is a light that moves about," cried Dick. "It is not anybody." "I don't know so much about that," said the wheelwright, lifting up his bandaged hand.
Thorpeley's hurt badly." They heard a low whistle, then the wheelwright's orders given sharply to his apprentice, followed by the dull thud, thud of his boots as he ran off; and directly after the punt glided in and its bow was seized by the big strong hand upon which the soft glowing light of the horn lanthorn shone. "Hey, but what's the matter with the man?" cried Hickathrift.
"Yah!" shouted Hickathrift angrily, "they never shot him; they heven't got no goon." Thorpeley was not badly hurt, so the doctor said when he came; but, as usual, he added, "If it had been an inch or two more to the right an important vessel would have been divided, and he would have bled to death."
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